What’s Going On With Malik Monk and the Kings? A Scorer Sidelined Amid Sacramento’s Rebuild
Late in the third quarter against the Houston Rockets, the Golden 1 Center crowd erupted-not because of a game-changing run or a highlight-reel dunk, but because Malik Monk finally checked into the game. After sitting for two and a half games, the Kings’ microwave scorer off the bench was back on the floor.
And in true Monk fashion, it didn’t take long for him to make an impact. He scored almost instantly, a reminder of what he brings to the table: instant offense, energy, and a spark this Kings team has been sorely lacking in recent outings.
But just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone again. Monk played fewer than five minutes and didn’t return in the fourth quarter. There wasn’t a concerted effort to get him involved while he was on the floor, and the rotation decision felt less like a strategic adjustment and more like a nod to the noise-both from fans and perhaps internal pressure.
Let’s rewind a bit.
This all started during Sacramento’s recent back-to-back losses to the Portland Trail Blazers. Both games were close-winnable, even-but the Kings came up short.
What stood out wasn’t just the final score, but who wasn’t on the court. Monk, one of the league’s premier sixth men and a crucial piece of Sacramento’s second unit, was benched in both games.
Not injured. Not in foul trouble.
Just... benched.
That decision raised eyebrows, and rightfully so. Monk has long been a reliable scoring option, capable of shifting momentum with a single hot stretch.
He’s not just a spark plug-he’s often the guy who keeps the engine running when the starters need a breather. So when head coach Doug Christie was asked about the decision, he pointed to the “logjam” at the guard position.
And to be fair, he’s not wrong. The Kings are crowded in the backcourt, with multiple players vying for minutes and roles.
But even with that in mind, sitting Monk for two straight games during tight contests felt like more than just a rotation squeeze.
The Kings are in the midst of a rebuild, and they’re not hiding it. There’s been a clear shift in focus toward younger talent and future assets.
Sacramento has already started moving pieces, and based on what we’ve seen, Monk might be next. In fact, trade discussions involving him reportedly date back to last summer.
That’s not surprising-Monk’s value is obvious, and contenders would love to plug in a dynamic scorer like him off the bench. But what is surprising is how little he’s being utilized, especially when the Kings are struggling to generate consistent offense.
When Monk stepped onto the court against Houston, the crowd made their feelings known. They cheered loudly, not just for the player, but for what he represents: excitement, confidence, and a connection to the fans.
He’s become a fan favorite in Sacramento for a reason. He plays with flair, he competes hard, and he produces.
But the reality is becoming harder to ignore-he may not be part of the Kings’ long-term vision.
Doug Christie, now leading the team through this transitional phase, seems to be leaning into the rebuild fully. That means prioritizing minutes for developing guards and evaluating future pieces. And while that’s understandable from an organizational standpoint, it’s tough to justify keeping a proven scorer like Monk glued to the bench-especially when the team is coming up short in winnable games.
This situation isn’t just about one player’s minutes. It’s about direction, identity, and how the Kings plan to navigate the next phase of their evolution.
Malik Monk has proven he can help a team win games right now. The question is whether Sacramento still values that-or if they’ve already moved on.